Easy Apple Crisp with Cake Mix – The Perfect Cozy Dessert Made Simple

If you love warm, comforting desserts but don’t have the time for complicated baking, this Easy Apple Crisp with Cake Mix will be your new go-to treat. It’s a foolproof recipe that transforms simple pantry staples into a bubbling, golden dessert filled with tender cinnamon apples and a buttery crumble topping. The best part? No measuring cups full of flour or sugar — just cake mix!

I first made this recipe one fall evening when I wanted something sweet but didn’t want to spend hours baking. The result was incredible — warm, gooey apples layered beneath a crispy, buttery crust that tasted just like homemade apple pie. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, and you’ll have a dessert everyone will rave about.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This apple crisp is unbelievably easy — no mixing bowls, no fuss, and minimal cleanup. The cake mix gives it a perfect crumbly topping while the apples bake into a luscious filling. It’s ideal for holidays, potlucks, or a simple weeknight dessert that feels special but takes little effort.

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Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

Apples
The star of the show. Use crisp, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor balance. Their texture holds up beautifully while baking, creating a tender yet firm filling.

Yellow cake mix
This shortcut ingredient replaces the traditional crisp topping. It delivers a perfectly sweet, buttery crumble without any extra effort. You can also use spice or white cake mix for a flavor twist.

Brown sugar
Brown sugar enhances the sweetness of the apples while deepening their flavor. It caramelizes slightly as the crisp bakes, adding warmth and richness.

Ground cinnamon
Cinnamon infuses the apples with cozy, autumnal spice and complements their natural sweetness beautifully.

Butter
Melted butter drizzled over the cake mix creates that golden, crisp top. I’ve tried using salted butter once, and it gave the dessert a lovely balance of sweet and salty flavor.

Lemon juice
A splash of lemon juice keeps the apples from browning and adds a hint of brightness to the filling.

Vanilla extract
Vanilla rounds out the flavors and gives the dessert a homemade aroma that makes your kitchen smell amazing.

Optional add-ins: nuts or oats
If you like extra crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or rolled oats on top before baking.

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples evenly. Toss them in a bowl with brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well coated.
3. Layer the filling: Spread the apple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
4. Add the topping: Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the apples. Don’t stir.
5. Add butter: Drizzle the melted butter evenly across the cake mix, ensuring it covers as much as possible. This helps form the crisp topping as it bakes.
6. Bake: Place in the oven for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
7. Cool and serve: Let it cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

I’ve experimented with spice cake mix before, and it adds an extra depth of cinnamon flavor that’s perfect for fall gatherings.

Equipment needed :

Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling

Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.

Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.

large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.

Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.

Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.

Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.

9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.

knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 8–10 people.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes

Storage/reheating

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place portions in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes, or microwave individual servings for 30–45 seconds. The topping will crisp up again if reheated in the oven or air fryer. This dessert also freezes well for up to 2 months — simply thaw overnight and reheat before serving.

Variations and Customizations

Spice Cake Apple Crisp
Use spice cake mix instead of yellow for an extra cinnamon kick and deep fall flavor.

Caramel Apple Crisp
Drizzle caramel sauce over the apples before adding the cake mix for a gooey, rich treat.

Nutty Apple Crisp
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for added crunch and nutty aroma.

Oat Crumble Topping
Mix half a cup of oats into the cake mix before sprinkling to create a heartier texture.

Apple Berry Crisp
Add a cup of fresh or frozen berries (like blueberries or raspberries) to the apple mixture for a fruity twist.

Gluten-Free Option
Use a gluten-free yellow cake mix — the result is just as delicious.

Vegan Version
Swap butter for melted coconut oil or vegan butter. The topping still turns golden and crisp.

Cinnamon Roll Version
Use a cinnamon swirl cake mix and drizzle with cream cheese glaze after baking.

Apple Pie Spice Upgrade
Replace cinnamon with apple pie spice for extra warmth and depth.

Individual Servings
Bake the crisp in small ramekins for single-serve desserts — perfect for dinner parties.

FAQs

1. Can I use canned apple pie filling instead of fresh apples?

Yes, it works well if you’re short on time — just reduce the brown sugar slightly.

2. What type of cake mix is best?

Yellow cake mix is classic, but spice or vanilla cake mix adds extra flavor.

3. Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, assemble everything and refrigerate before baking. Add 5 minutes to the bake time when ready.

4. Can I use other fruits?

Absolutely. Try peaches, pears, or berries for a variation on this easy crisp.

5. How do I keep the topping from getting soggy?

Make sure the butter is evenly drizzled and the crisp is baked until fully golden.

6. Can I use oil instead of butter?

You can, but butter gives the topping its rich, crisp flavor.

7. Can I double the recipe?

Yes, just use a larger baking pan or two smaller ones and increase the bake time slightly.

8. Can I make it less sweet?

Use unsweetened apples and reduce the brown sugar — it will still taste amazing.

9. Can I make it dairy-free?

Yes, use dairy-free butter or margarine for the same texture.

10. What should I serve with it?

Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel drizzle pair beautifully with this crisp.

Conclusion

Easy Apple Crisp with Cake Mix is proof that delicious, comforting desserts don’t have to be complicated. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a warm, buttery dessert that tastes like it came straight from your favorite bakery. Whether for a holiday dinner, Sunday brunch, or a cozy night in, this apple crisp will become one of your most-loved quick recipes — simple, sweet, and absolutely irresistible.

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